October 2013
incorporating
no.209 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Survey finds lack of heart defibrillators By Dominic Musgrave LESS than half of care homes in the UK are equipped with heart defibrillators, research has found. According to a survey by DOC UK, just 46 per cent of health industry workplaces are equipped with automatic external defibrillators, an electrical device which restarts the heart of people who are suffering from ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia – the two most common symptoms of a heart attack. Pat Maule, a senior carer at Lathbury Manor Residential Care Home in Newport Pagnell – a location which has recently had a defibrillator installed – believes that in the care home industry the proportion of firms with AEDs is likely to be even lower still, despite the increased risk of heart problems. She said: “I’ve worked in the care industry for a very long time and this is the first location I’ve known to have a defibrillator. “I think that the problem of heart health is sometimes ignored, often because people don’t like to think about cardiac arrests, even in the care industry. “I suggested having a defibrillator
installed because heart problems have been a feature of my life – my parents had heart trouble, my granddaughter was born with heart trouble, and I have a minor heart disease. “Luckily, when I suggested the idea to the management they were very receptive – but it’s a shame that homes like Lathbury are in the minority.” The survey also found that 48 per cent of health industry respondents were concerned about injuring the casualty or being held liable if something went wrong, despite a defibrillator only working on someone who is having a genuine cardiac arrest. There have been no cases of people being sued for using a defibrillator. Vincent Mathieu, managing director of DOC UK, believes that more care homes should have AEDs installed. He said: “Clearly in care homes – especially old people’s homes – the risk of cardiac arrest is higher than usual, which is why we believe that defibrillators are vital. “Whichever model is used, it’s essential that it is kept close to hand, and that staff are confident enough to use it.”
Book your place for final two events
TV star and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Sir Tony Robinson officially opened a new £12m care centre in Peterborough. The Blackadder actor and Time Team presenter unveiled a commemorative plaque at PJ Care’s Eagle Wood to mark the occasion. Another special guest was 11-year-old William Flanagan, a local schoolboy, who won a competition to come up with a name for the centre. William, who was joined by his parents, grandmother and three brothers, also unveiled a plaque.
TIME is running out for care home managers/ owners to book their place at Script Events’ final two care conferences of 2013. Among the speakers at the Quality in Care events at Cedar, Court Hotel in Wakefield and the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool will be NCA chief executive Sheila Scott OBE, NACC chair Karen Oliver and ECCA chief executive Martin Green OBE (Wakefield only). They are organised in association with Caring UK magazine and will be chaired by editor Dominic Musgrave. He said: “The feedback we have received for the conferences held earlier in the year has been fantastic, and we are confident that our final two events of the year will build on this success. “As well as the stellar line-up of speakers, the days will also feature an extensive exhibition which will showcase the latest products and technology.” The events take place on October 9 and 10. To find out more visit www.scriptmedia.co.uk